The Oak Ridge Plants have been running since about 1943. Since about ten years ago there have been concerns about the health effects to the Scarboro neighborhood which lies closest to the plant site. Also more remote residents raised similar questions. There have been several studies and continuing monitoring designed to estimate the exposure to nearby populations. All of these have resulted in estimates that were low relative to the then current regulations and understanding of the potential health effects. As a result the causes of the concerns were believed to be unrelated to plant operations.

However, continuing concerns resulted in the formation of the Oak Ridge Health Agreement Steering Panel (ORHASP) in 19??. Due to concerns for DOE conflict of interest, management was given to the State of Tennessee. ORHASP started on a program of more detailed retrospective exposure studies at and around the plant sites. To date the studies have indicated only marginal degrees of off-site exposures. During this time, a strong opinion was expressed for initiating a clinically oriented study which would address the illness of the Scarboro residents. A strong proponent of this approach has been Ms. Sandra Reid. This editor, after consultation with DOE, sent a letter to the Governor and the ORHASP director. The Panel opted not to proceed in this direction.

A few years ago, there was discovered a group of Y-12 workers who suffer from beryllium exposure. Though this is a well-known disease, it was not known that a few individuals could develop symptoms at very, very low exposure levels. This exposure is now better understood and the problem and its cause is well-accepted.

About three or four years ago, the K-25 workers had increasing concerns. Some medical reviews and studies, have not drawn the conclusion that the cause was the industrial environment. At one time the workers were concerned about exposure to cyanide or one of its derivatives. When a NIOSH study could not identify a cyanide source, the concern spread to the Toxic Substances Control Act Incinerator (TSCAI) and the possibility of heavy metals or other indigenous toxins. There was a increasing concern that the diseases were secondary to a suppression of the immune system or little understood synergistic effects.

During this period, this topic dominated may public meetings especially those having to do with the TSCA Incinerator. The polarization between the workers and management became evident and bitter. There were accusations of extensive cover-ups in DOE, the contractors, the regional doctors, hospital and medical laboratories. It became clear that several of the ill workers had been referred to occupational physicians by the results were anecdotal due to privacy concerns. Even the State Health Department could not see the results. Rumors, claims and counter-claims became rampant and still are.

Lockheed Martin Energy Systems has employed three occupational physicians to examine the problem. They have stated that the workers are ill but have not revealed any comprehensive statement on causes at this time (11/15/97). LMES has tried to facilitate the worker's access to special tests through the HMO system or other means. It has not worked well according to the workers.

A Governor's Independent Panel has been appointed to examine the role of TSCAI in this problem. Their numerous hearings have been heated and, at times, rancorous. The imminent report is anxiously awaited.

The most recent area of concern is the workers who reside in the MSRE office space. The space has been examined and declared safe. But, the workers are just beginning to report vague symptoms.

The total problem involves perhaps 200 on-site worker and off-site residents. The information possessed by the public is vague and mostly anecdotal. The medical problems are far beyond the public's opinion to judge and possibly beyond the scope of experience of the local health care system. There is some evidence that even the occupational specialists are stumped to some degree. It is against this background the public is asked to reach a conclusion. On the one hand there are ill people and on the other there is little proof the is an environmental cause. It is an important question because in its larger context it asked - Is the cause of all unexplained illness environmental and what is the responsibility of society? It also questions the structure of the current health care system and the lack of universal coverage? There are many difficult secondary questions.

It is within this climate of the unknown and distrust that the Tennessean has published an extensive series of articles. Most Oak Ridgers believe the articles are inflammatory, prey on the lay public's fear of radiation, and do little to contribute to the solution of the problem. In addition, they believe they inaccurately malign the image of the community to its economic detriment. Again it is not a question of who ill but a question of what is the cause? Most residents believe this situation calls for aggressive investigation but are not yet ready to call for drastic operational changes. For the most part, there is a great deal of sympathy for those who are ill but there are also those who have a distrust of the alleged ill persons. Thus, there is developing community polarization.